Iowa: Would-be adopters line up for abandoned dog that ate own tail

Humane Society of North Iowa executive director Sybil Soukup plays with Goldie at the facility on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013 in Mason City. Abandoned, forced to eat her own tail to survive, the golden retriever is recovering at the northern Iowa shelter. Goldie's mutilated tail was surgically amputated. She entered the shelter at 46 pounds, about 20 less than normal. She's gained 6 pounds so far. Shelter officials hope she'll be adopted once she fully recovers. (AP Photo/The Globe Gazette, Jeff Heinz)

MASON CITY, Iowa -- Calls are pouring in to the Humane Society of North Iowa with offers to adopt an abandoned and abused golden retriever that ate her own tail.

The group's executive director, Sybil Soukup, said inquiries from people who want to take Goldie home have come from as far away as Australia and that donations have come in from around the U.S., the Mason City Globe Gazette reported.

Goldie was abandoned at an apartment in Forest City. Several dogs lived in the apartment when a landlord threatened to evict the tenants. The landlord returned three weeks later and discovered Goldie alone in an outdoor kennel with no food and little water.

The newspaper reports Goldie was filthy, skinny and emaciated. A new tenant at the residence cared for the dog for a while, during which time Goldie ate half her tail. Soukup said Goldie had sufficient food and water at that time but was still recovering from the symptoms of starvation and dehydration.

The new tenant considered having Goldie euthanized because of her overall poor health. She weighed 46 pounds, about 20 pounds underweight.

The landlord then called the Humane Society, which offered to take her in. Goldie has since had surgery to remove some of her mangled tail. She also has gained weight.

Officials will decide on a new owner for Goldie after a deadline for adoption applications ends Friday.

"Then our shelter manager will have the daunting task of going through them to determine which one can provide the most appropriate home for Goldie," Soukup said.

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Soukup said dozens of applications have come in, and more than 100 inquiries have been fielded about the dog's wellbeing.